ESCANABA — On the shores of Lake Michigan near Escanaba, Portage Marsh Wildlife Management Area is an Audubon/ Important Bird Area/ and one of Michigan’s premier/ Wetland Wonders./ Join the DNR and partners from Common Coast Research and Conservation for a guided birding tour of Portage Marsh Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The tour will begin at the wildlife management area, at the dead end of Portage Point 11.4 Lane, in Escanaba. DNR experts will lead the tour along the 1-mile loop trail, which includes 0.6 miles of unpaved trails along a historic dike system, and a 0.4-mile beach walk along Lake Michigan. The event is free, no RSVP required, and all ages are encouraged to attend.

Portable restrooms, picnic tables and trash receptacles will be available. Please bring your own binoculars or a scope if you have them. Some binoculars will be available to borrow.

Organizers highly encourage participants download one or more of the following smartphone apps:/ eBird,/ iNaturalist,/ Merlin Bird ID,/ Audubon Bird Guide. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes, as we will be walking along unpaved trails with uneven ground. Please be aware that the trail system is not fully accessible according to Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.

This birding tour is presented in partnership with/ MI Birds, a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR. MI Birds aims to deepen all Michiganders’ engagement in the understanding, care and stewardship of public lands that are important for birds and local communities.